katherine_b (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
katherine_b) wrote2009-03-21 09:13 pm
katherine_b) wrote2009-03-21 09:13 pm
Entry tags:
Transcript - The Next Doctor Part II
Part I
JL [putting his hand on Rosita's knee]: The Doctor needs help. I learned that much about him. There should be someone at his side. [Gets up and turns away] Now go. Go.
[Rosita, devastated but obedient, leaves to follow the Doctor. She finds him and other people watching the long line of marching children.]
R: What is it? What's happening? [Mr. Cole is standing at the end of the line, shepherding the children] But that's Mr. Cole. He's master of the Houndslow Street workhouse. [hopeful] Maybe he's taking them to prayers.
D: Oh, nothing as holy as that. [runs up beside Mr. Cole] Can you hear me? Hello? No? Mr. Cole, you seem to have something in your ear. [begins getting out sonic screwdriver] Now, this might hurt a bit, but if I can just... [a growl from a Cybershade cuts him off] Ah, they're on guard. Can't risk a fight, not with the children.
R: But where're they going?
Jed: They all need a good whipping if you ask me. There's tons of them. I've just seen another lot coming down from the Ingleby workhouse, down Broadback Lane.
D: Where's that?
R: This way.
[The Doctor and Rosita run through the streets to find another queue of children.]
R: Dozens of 'em!
D [puzzled] What for?
[Mr. Scoone leads a third line of children up to a building. They go ahead of him to a set of double doors. The doors bang open to reveal two Cybermen. The children scream, but Mr. Scoone orders them on.]
Mr. Scoone: You will continue. You will enter the court of the CyberKing.
[Cybershades appear at either side of the entrance frighten the children still further.]
Mr. Scoone: March. That is an order. March.
[The terrified children enter the building with Mr Scoone behind them.]
* * *
[Jackson is sitting on a bed in the stables, gasping for breath. Then he looks up at the cases and gets to his feet.]
JL [breathily]: Where is it? [begins to paw through luggage, more forcefully] Where is it?
[He stares at something on the ground.]
* * *
[The Cybermen stand on guard as the children enter the building. The Doctor and Rosita are watching.]
R: That's the door to the sewers. All the sewage runs through there, straight to the Thames.
D [looking back in the direction of the river]: Yeah, that's too well guarded. We'll have to find another way in.
[They move away from their hiding place and almost run into two Cybermen.]
D: Whoa, that's cheating, sneaking up! Did you have your legs on silent?
[Miss Hartigan moves to stand in front of them.]
MH: So, what do we have here?
D [concerned]: Listen. Just walk towards me - slowly. Don't let them touch you.
MH [smug]: Oh, but they wouldn't hurt me. My fine boys. They're my knights in shining armour. Quite literally.
D [anxious]: Even if they've converted you, that's not a cyber speech pattern. You've still got free will. I'm telling you [clenched teeth] step away!
MH [calmly]: There's been no conversion, sir. No one's ever been able to change my mind. The Cybermen offered me the one thing I wanted. Liberation.
R: Who are ya?
MH [dismissively]: You can be quiet! I doubt he paid you to talk!
[Rosita is deeply offended.]
MH: More importantly, who are you, sir, with such intimate knowledge of my companions?
D [in Oncoming Storm mode]: I'm the Doctor.
Cyberman: Incorrect. You do not correspond to our image of the Doctor.
D [nodding head]: Yeah, but that's 'cause your database got corrupted. Oh, look, look, look [getting out infostamp] check this. [holds up infostamp] The Doctor's infostamp.
[He throws the infostamp and the Cyberman catches it.]
D: Plug it in, go on, download.
Cyberman [looks inside infostamp]: The core has been damaged. This infostamp would damage Cyber units.
D [rolls eyes]: Oh, well, nice try.
Cyberman: Core repaired. Download. [The Cyberman opens the logo on his chest and inserts the infostamp. Images in his eye show pictures of the Doctor at different times in his recent history.] You are the Doctor.
D [waving, emotionless]: Hello.
Cyberman: You will be deleted.
D: No, no, b-b-b-b-but let me die happy. [looking at Miss Hartigan] Tell me one thing, what do you need those children for?
MH [smiling]: What are children ever needed for? They're a workforce.
D [confused]: But for what?
MH [smug again]: Very soon now the whole Empire will see. And they will bow down in worship.
D [Oncoming Storm mode again]: And it's all in time for Christmas Day. Was that your idea, Miss...?
MH: Hartigan. And yes, the perfect day for a birth. With a new message for the people. Only this time it won't be the words of a man.
D [coldly]: The birth of what?
MH: A birth and a death - namely yours. Thank you, Doctor. Glad to have been part of your very last conversation. Now, delete them.
Cyberman: Delete.
[The Doctor puts his arm forward around Rosita, putting her behind him, as the Cybermen march forward. Then suddenly blue-white lightning zaps them and they slowly collapse to the ground. The Doctor looks up to see Jackson, the cache of infostamps over his shoulder, switching one off.]
JL: At your service, Doctor.
MH: Shades. Shaaades!
D: Run! Come on!
MH: Shaaaades!
R: One last thing.
[She punches Miss Hartigan in the mouth]
D [shocked and amused]: Can I say, I completely disapprove! Come on!
MH [getting to her feet as the Cybershades surround her]: Get off me. I said, get off! Tell your masters we're not waiting till dawn. The CyberKing will rise. [she touches the blood on her lip] Tonight.
* * *
[Jackson, Rosita and the Doctor shelter under the eaves of a building.]
D: That stronghold's down by the river. We've got a find a way in.
JL: Oh, I'm ahead of you.
[The Doctor frowns.]
JL: My wife and I were moving to London so I could take up a post at the University. And while my memory is still not intact, this [pulls out a bundle of paper] was in the luggage. The deeds. 15 Latimer Street. And if I discovered the Cybermen there, in the cellar, then...
D: That might be our way in! Brilliant!
JL: There's still more. I remember the cellar. And my wife. [looks pained, flashback to her murder] But I swear there was something else in that room. [indistinct view of 'something else'] If we can find that, perhaps that's the key to defeating these invaders. So, onwards.
D [to Rosita, as he moves to grab her arm]: Maybe you shouldn't...
R [holds up hand]: Don't even try!
[Doctor waggles his head and gives up.]
* * *
[The Cyber-Leader leads Miss Hartigan into a room where the four owners of the workhouses are standing.]
CL: You have wisdom. If the Doctor is planning to intervene then the ascension will commence immediately.
MH: Excellent. And as for you, Mr. Cole, Mr. Scoones, Mr. Fetch, Mr. Milligan, your work is done.
[She moves a switch and all four men are electrocuted by their earpods. Miss Hartigan smirks as they collapse, screaming. She goes into another room which is full of machinery.]
MH: Children! Pay attention!
[The children turn and look at her]
MH: Now let the new industrial revolution begin. I want to see you work!
[With pained expressions, the children begin working. Cybermen stand on guard.]
Cyberman: Energy levels 60% and rising.
CL: Soon the CyberKing will awake.
MH [smirking]: Then show me!
[She takes the CL's arm and goes with him into another room.]
* * *
[Jackson enters the cellar of the house and finds a Cyberman. He kills it with an infostamp as it cries 'Delete'. The Doctor rushes past JL into the cellar and finds a device.]
D: Must have been guarding this. A dimension vault. Stolen from the Daleks again. That's how the Cybermen travelled through time. Jackson, is this it? The thing you couldn't remember?
JL [gasping]: I don't think so. But I just can't see. It's like it's hidden.
D: Ah, not enough power. Come on! Avanti!
* * *
[Miss Hartigan walks with the Cybermen into yet another room, the throne room of the CyberKing.]
MH: Oh, that is magnificent! That is royalty indeed! And that's quite a throne. Oh, you will look resplendent!
CL: The chair you designate as throne is not intended for me. My function is to serve the CyberKing, not to become the CyberKing.
MH: Then who sits there?
[The Cyber-Leader turns slowly to face Miss Hartigan. She suddenly understands.]
MH [panicked]: No! Now just... I think, if you remember correctly, you said I was to be heralded.
CL: All hail the CyberKing!
Cybermen: All hail the CyberKing!
MH: But you promised me! You said I would never be converted!
CL: That was designated [pause] a lie.
* * *
[The Doctor, Rosita and Jackson are creeping through underground rooms criss-crossed by pipes.]
R: What do the Cybermen want?
D: They want us. That's what Cybermen are. Humans without brains put into metal shells. They want every living thing to be like them.
[Rosita is appalled.]
* * *
[Miss Hartigan is tied to the throne as the Cybermen march away.]
MH [upset]: You can't do this to me.
CL: Incorrect. It is done.
MH [terrified]: But I would have served you anyway!
CL: Your mind is riddled with anger and abuse and revenge. These have no place in a cyber mind. Activate!
[As Miss Hartigan looks up in fear, a throne-like device descends to close around her head.]
CL: Emotions have tormented you all of your life. Now you will be set free. This is your liberation.
MH [gasping and panting in fear]: For the love of God, have you no pity?
CL: [pause] Correct.
[The crown closes around her head and blue lights begin to buzz. She closes her eyes and gasps with pain before seeming to pass out.]
CL: The CyberKing is born!
Cybermen: All hail the CyberKing.
[Miss Hartigan's head lifts and then her eyes open. They are completely black.]
* * *
[The Doctor, Rosita and Jackson arrive at a sewer grate that opens into the area where the children are working.]
JL [breathless]: Upon my soul.
R: What is it?
D: It's an engine.
[They look up at the mass of cogs joined together to create power.]
D: Generating electricity [frowns] but what for?
JL [getting up]: We could set them free.
D [putting hand on Jackson's chest]: No, no, no, no, no, no, no. [gets up and moves away]
[Rosita follows the Doctor, but Jackson remains behind, watching.]
* * *
[Miss Hartigan is sitting upright in the chair, mouth frowning, her black eyes staring.]
MH [exhales deeply, her voice now has a metallic edge]: Hah. Behold such... information.
* * *
[The Doctor leads Rosita and Jackson to a dial on the wall, putting on his glasses as he does so.]
D [grimacing]: Power at 90%. But if we stop the engine, the power dies down, the Cybermen will come running. Ooh! [as screen goes blurry, knocks on it] Hang on. Power fluctuation, that's not meant to happen.
JL: It's - going wrong.
D [shakes head doubtfully, pouting]: No, no, it's weird. The software's rewriting itself. It's changing.
* * *
MH [in Cyberman voice]: I can see the stars, the worlds beyond. The vortex of time itself and the whole of infinity. Oh, but this is glorious!
CL: That is incorrect. Glorious is an emotional response.
MH: Exactly. There is so much joy in this machine.
CL: Joy is not acceptable.
MH [mocking]: Don't you see, my mind is stronger than you've ever thought. It dominates, sir. It dominates you!
CL: Alert. [the Cybermen begin flexing their hands] You are operating beyond the standard parameters.
MH: I am new! The might of your technology combined with my own imagination - yes! There will be a new race of Cybermen, my Cybermen. Logic and strength combined with fury and passion.
CL: Diagnosis: system failure. You will be removed from the processor.
[Miss Hartigan fires a blue-white stream of power (like those from the infostamps) out of the core of her crown at the Cyber-Leader. He shakes, hands to his head, and then blows apart.]
* * *
[At the same instant, the monitor the Doctor was examining lets out smoke and sparks.]
D [ducking back]: Whoa! What's happening, it's out of control!
JL: It's accelerating! 96%, 97...
R: When it reaches 100, what about the children?
[The Doctor looks at Rosita, angry and worried.]
D [tearing off his glasses]: They're disposable! [runs back in the direction of the sluice gate] Come on!
* * *
MH: I am CyberKing. My mind inside Cybermen. And you will obey me.
Cybermen: All hail the CyberKing.
* * *
Cyberman inside engine room: Power levels now at 100% [presses buttons on machine]. Delete the workforce.
[As a klaxon blares, a second Cyberman turns away from the first and faces the room.]
C2: Delete!
[An alarm sounds in the room.]
C3: Delete!
[The children look terrified. Then the Doctor runs across onto the platform where they’re working.]
D [yelling]: Right, now, all of you, out!
[Jackson aims one of the infostamps at a Cyberman, destroying it. As the Doctor shepherds the children away, Rosita takes care of another Cyberman.]
D: That's an order! Every single one of you, run!
JL: All of you, come on, as fast as you can, come on!
[Doctor jumps onto a mast.]
D: There's a hot pie for everyone if you leg it!
JL [sees that the way is clear and waves at the Doctor]: Go!
D [grabs Rosita's arm]: You need to get them as far as the sluice gate. Once you're out, keep running. Far as you can!
[Jackson and the Doctor wave out more children.]
D: Come on, come on, come on.
[The Doctor looks up to make sure they haven't left anyone behind.]
R [waving children on]: Turn right at the corner, fast as you can! And don't stop! Keep running. Keep running!
* * *
MH: Come, my soldiers. Come to me.
[Cybermen and Cybershades approach her over the small bridge.]
* * *
[Rosita opens the big double doors and leads the children out.]
R: Come on! Keep running! Keep running!
[The children flee down the alleys and streets.]
D [chasing another child out of the room]: Go on, quick, quick! [He puts on his glasses again to examine the machinery on the walls.] It's some sort of starter motor.
[Jackson is backing away, staring in the direction of the children.]
D: But starting what?
[Jackson continues to watch as older boys run past him, frowning, trying to remember. He has another flashback to the moment in the cellar when the Cybermen attacked and finally remembers a child's voice calling for help, calling 'Father'. Realisation hits and he looks up to see a boy standing on a high ledge, staring down at him, terror in his eyes.]
JL: [whispers] It's my son. My son. [yelling] Doctor, my son!
[The Doctor darts away from the machine, tearing off his glasses.]
D: What?
JL [looking up]: They took my son. No wonder my mind escaped. Those damned Cybermen - they took my child! [shakes the Doctor with the force of his emotions]
[The Doctor stares at him, wide-eyed.]
JL: But he's alive, Doctor! [points up] Frederick!
D [turned to the boy, his hand outstretched] Come on!
[Frederick stares down, unmoving.]
JL [sobbing]: Oh, he's too scared. Stay there! Don't move! I'm coming! [darts towards the stairs, only to be thrown backwards by an explosion]
* * *
MH: CyberKing rising!
[The ground shakes, destroying the small bridge that led to the throne. Three Cybermen and a Cybershade stand and sit on either side of the CyberKing.]
* * *
[The Doctor swings over to Jackson on a chain and helps him up.]
JL: I can't get up there! Fr...
D: They've finished with the motor. It's going to blow up!
JL: What're we going to do, Doctor? What are we going to do?
D [pulls cutlass out of his jacket pocket]: You know me, Jackson. [runs over to rope and wraps it around his arm, swinging the cutlass] You know me!
[The Doctor slices the rope and is propelled up to the high point of the room. He lands on the ledge next to Frederick.]
D: Oh, that's it. [bends down in front of Frederick] Hello! Now [encouraging the boy to climb onto his back] hold on tight, don't let go.
[Jackson watches desperately as the engine room begins to fall apart. The Doctor grabs the robe and swings off the ledge, which explodes behind him.]
* * *
[Miss Hartigan sits silent as the platform shakes and moves beneath her.]
* * *
[The Doctor comes through the smoke, carrying Frederick. Jackson is almost beside himself, but finally smiles and takes the boy as the Doctor hands him over.]
D [with a satisfied grin]: Merry Christmas!
[Jackson stares at his son for a moment before hugging him. The boy closes his eyes in relief and returns the embrace.]
* * *
R [kneeling in front of a girl]: Go to St Stevens, ask for the warden. He'll take care of you.
[She looks over as she hears a whooshing sound and then turns back.]
R: Now run, quickly!
* * *
[The Doctor and Jackson, still holding Frederick, run through the burning room. An explosion bars their exit and they head into the sewer tunnels.]
* * *
[Rosita runs in the direction of the river, while everyone else runs the other way. A man points behind him.]
Man: Inside the water! There's something in the Thames!
[Rosita runs on, but stops and stares, the light reflecting movement of the waves on her face. A huge metal figure, water streaming off it, rises out of the river. Where the mouth should be sits Miss Hartigan and the Cybermen and Cybershades. Rosita stares, her mouth falling open.]
* * *
[The Doctor and Jackson arrive back into the cellar of Jackson’s house.]
D: Head for the street!
[An explosion shoves him into the cellar and past the dimension vault. He stops, runs back and launches it into the air, grabbing it as it comes down.
JL: Come on, Doctor, hurry up!
D: Gotcha!
* * *
[The CyberKing stands tall over London, its feet still in the river.]
MH: Behold, I am risen! Witness me, mankind, as CyberKing of all.
[The Doctor and Jackson run out onto the street and look up at the CyberKing in disbelief and shock.]
D: It's the CyberKing!
JL: And the CyberKing means what?
D: It's a ship, dreadnought class. Frontline of an invasion. And inside the chest a cyber factory ready to convert millions.
[He runs away, Jackson following.]
MH: And I will walk. I will stride across this tiny little world.
[The CyberKing strides out of the river, crushing buildings and people under its gigantic feet. People scream and run away. Rosita runs through the crowd, looking for the Doctor and Jackson.]
MH [coldly confused and angry]: My people! Why do they not rejoice?
D [turning to Jackson, between clenched teeth]: It's heading south. Take your son, go to the parkland.
JL: But where are you going?
D: To stop that thing.
JL [pleading]: But I should be with you!
D [desperate]: Jackson, you've got your son! You've got a reason to live.
JL [horrified]: What, and you haven't?
[The Doctor stares at him for a long moment that says everything.]
JL [sadly]: God save you, Doctor.
[The Doctor gives him one last look and then runs off. Jackson strokes his son's cheek and then moves away in a different direction from the machine. The Doctor runs into the stable, dimension vault in hand. He throws it down and begins hauling open cases. Jed, sitting on the ground, leaps to his feet.]
Jed: What the hell is that thing, sir?
D [spins around]: Oh, good man, Jed, wasn't it? Jed, I need your help!
Jed: I'm not going out there!
D [slinging a belt of cartridges over his shoulder]: I'll give you five pound notes!
Jed [hesitates, and then]: Um, all right, what d'you want me to do?
D [grabbing dimension vault and running out of the room]: The TARDIS is gonna fly!
[Jed runs out of the stable after him.]
[The CyberKing continues its trek across London.]
MH: People of the world, now hear me. Your governments will surrender. And if not, then behold my power.
[One of the machine arms becomes a massive gun and begins firing bolts down like flaming cannon balls down at people.]
[The Doctor runs into the yard, handing the dimension vault backwards to Jed. He throws the belt of cartridges into the basket before leaping in himself.]
Jed: You're flamin' bonkers, you are, sir!
D: That's been said before, now give me!
[The Doctor gestures for the dimension vault and Jed hands it over. He shakes the vault and listens to it blip.]
D: Aah, not enough power! Come on! Jed, let her loose!
[Jed frantically unties ropes.]
Jed: Ever flown one of these before?
D: No, never!
Jed: Can I have my money now?
D [fishes in pocket]: Oh, get on with it!
[Jackson is running through the crowds and finds Rosita.]
R: What's that? I thought I'd lost ya!
JL: My son, Rosita. This boy is my son!
[The CyberKing continues to fire. Jackson and Rosita flee from an explosion just in time, watching as the machine strides past them.]
[Jed releases the final rope and watches as the TARDIS lifts off. The Doctor winds up the ropes.]
Jed: Good luck to ya, sir! [laughs wildly]
[Jackson and Rosita see the balloon rising behind the CyberKing.]
JL: It's the TARDIS! [smiles triumphantly] She's flying!
[The Doctor throws off sandbags and other weight, including a basket, to gain height.]
Boy: Who the hell is that?
JL [proudly]: His name, sir, is the Doctor!
[The Doctor looks up as he approaches the CyberKing.]
[One of the Cybermen turns to Miss Hartigan.]
Cyberman: Attention. Proximity alert.
MH: How is that even possible? Oh, this I would see! [bellows] Turn!
[The CyberKing turns to face the Doctor in the balloon. The Doctor releases some air so that the balloon travels no higher before grabbing the belt of cartridges and wrapping it around his arm so they all face the same way.]
MH: Excellent! The Doctor! Yet another man come to assert himself against me in the night.
D [yelling]: Miss Hartigan! I'm offering you a choice. You might have the most remarkable mind this world has ever seen, strong enough to control the Cybermen themselves...
MH: I don't need you to sanction me.
D: No, but such a mind deserves to live. The Cybermen came to this world using a dimension vault. I can use that device to find you a home with no people to convert, but a new world where you can live out your mechanical life in peace.
MH: I have the world below and it is abundant with so many minds ready to become extensions of me. Why would I leave this place?
D: Because, if you don't, I'll have to stop you.
MH: What do you make of me, sir - an idiot?
D [sadly, shakes head]: No. The question is, what do you make of me?
[He aims the rows of cartridges at the CyberKing.]
MH: Destroy him!
D: You make me into this.
[He activates the infostamps and brilliant blue-white lights streams into the throne room. It hits the crown in the central point and flows over the electric cables and wires of the throne. Miss Hartigan's face wears a smug smile. Finally the Doctor deactivates the stamps and drops his arm. ]
MH: Then I have made you a failure. Your weapons are useless, sir.
D [emotionlessly]: I wasn't trying to kill you. All I did was break the cyber connection, leaving your mind open.
[Miss Hartigan now appears as a normal person and shock and horror are gradually creeping across her features.
D: Open, I think, for the first time in far too many years. So you can see.
[Miss Hartigan begins to breathe nervously and trembles as the Cybermen turn towards her.]
D: Just look at yourself. Look at what you've done. I'm sorry, Miss Hartigan, but look at what you've become.
[She screams in horror and fear, unable to escape, still being bound to the throne.]
D [dully]: I'm so sorry.
[The emotions from Miss Hartigan's terror begin to run through the Cybermen, who shake clutch their heads, twitching themselves and her to pieces. The CyberKing begins to disintegrate. The Doctor watches, in full Oncoming storm mode, as the gust from the explosion begins to blow the balloon away.]
JL: He's killed it! Whatever he did, he's killed it.
R [grabbing his arm]: But it's gonna fall!
[People begin screaming and running away. The machine totters, explosions coming from every part.]
[An electric buzz brings the Doctor out of his thoughts and he snatches up the dimension vault.]
D: Now you're ready!
[He aims the object, which looks like a rifle, at the machine and activates it. Light like that in the vortex engulfs the remains of the CyberKing and it fades away. The Doctor shuts off the dimension vault, his face a mixture of grim emotions, and puts it down.]
JL: I'd say he used that dimension vault to transfer the wreckage of the CyberKing into the time vortex, there to be harmlessly disintegrated. [is surprised at himself] Oh! [chuckles] I picked up a lot! [hands Frederick to Rosita] Here! [he leaps onto a nearby lamppost] Ladies and gentlemen, I know that man. That Doctor on high! And I know that he has done this deed a thousand times! But not once, no sir, not once, not ever has he ever been thanked! But no more! For I say to you on this Christmas morn, bravo, sir! Bravo!
[People begin clapping and cheering. The Doctor hears it and looks down in surprise, giving a smile and a wave, ringing the bell of the airborne TARDIS.]
JL: Bravo, Doctor!
[The Doctor looks out over London, the half-smile fading from his face, deep in thought.]
* * *
[The Doctor and Jackson are walking through the market square.]
JL: The city will recover, as London always does. Though the events of today will be history, spoken of for centuries to come.
D [scornful]: Yeah, funny that.
JL: Well, a new history begins for me. I find myself a widower, but with my son. [pats the Doctor on the shoulder before looking back at Rosita] And with a good friend.
[The Doctor and Jackson look back at Rosita, who is standing with Jed and Frederick, encouraging the boy to wave.]
D: Now, take care of that one, she's marvellous.
JL: Frederick will need a nursemaid and I can think of none better. [pauses and then turns to the Doctor] But you're welcome to join us. We thought we might all dine together [Doctor looks away, pained] at the Traveller's Halt. Christmas feast in celebration. And in memory of those we've lost.
[The two men look at each other for a long moment, reflected pain in their eyes.]
JL: You won't stay.
D [tiny smile]: Nothing to say, you know me.
[They enter the archway where the TARDIS stands.]
JL [refers to his last comment]: No, I don't think anyone does. [sees the TARDIS] Oh! And this is it! Ah! Oh, if I might, Doctor. One last adventure!
D: Oh! [unlocks TARDIS] Be my guest!
[The door opens to reveal the shock on Jackson's face. He grins, touches the Doctor's arm and then steps inside.]
JL: Oh! [pause] Oh, my word!
[The Doctor follows him up the ramp. Jackson approaches the console.]
JL: Oh. Oh. Goodness me. [looks back at the Doctor, who's grinning proudly] Wh- haha... But this is... [laughs] But this is nonsense!
D [looks deeply hurt]: Well, that's one word for it.
JL [laughs]: Complete and utter wonderful nonsense.
[The Doctor smiles again.]
JL: Oh. Very, very silly. Oh. [reaches out to touch, but draws back, his hands pressed to his temples] Oh, no, I can't bear it!
[The Doctor looks worried.]
JL: Oh, it's causing my head to ache. [turns and runs down the ramp] Nope. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. [runs out of the TARDIS] Oh, my gracious! [laughs as the Doctor follows him out, a huge grin on his face, and shuts the door] That's quite enough. [long pause as the smile fades from Jackson's face] I take it this is goodbye.
D [briskly]: Onwards and upwards.
JL: Tell me one thing. All those facts and figures I saw of the Doctor's life, you were never alone.
[All hint of a smile is gone from the Doctor's face.]
JL: All those bright and shining companions. But - not anymore?
D [shakes his head]: No.
JL: Might I ask why not?
D [on the verge of tears]: They leave. Because they should, or they find someone else. And some of them - some of them - forget me. [Jackson frowns, puzzled] I suppose, in the end [pause] they break my heart.
[A long pause, during which time the Doctor visibly fights back emotion and Jackson's face sets into a firm expression.]
JL: That offer of Christmas dinner - it's no longer a request, it's a demand.
D [slight nod, his eyes glistening]: In memory of those we've lost.
[Jackson nods.]
D [looking everywhere but at Jackson]: Brr, aw, go on then.
[Jackson's face lights up in delight and he laughs.]
JL: Really?
D: Just this once. You've - you've actually gone and changed my mind. Not many people can do that. [steps forward] Jackson, if anyone had to be the Doctor, I'm glad it was you.
JL: The feast awaits. Come. With me.
[The Doctor pulls the TARDIS door shut.]
JL: Walk this way.
D: I certainly will!
[Jackson laughs.]
D: Merry Christmas to you, Jackson!
JL: Merry Christmas indeed, Doctor!
JL [putting his hand on Rosita's knee]: The Doctor needs help. I learned that much about him. There should be someone at his side. [Gets up and turns away] Now go. Go.
[Rosita, devastated but obedient, leaves to follow the Doctor. She finds him and other people watching the long line of marching children.]
R: What is it? What's happening? [Mr. Cole is standing at the end of the line, shepherding the children] But that's Mr. Cole. He's master of the Houndslow Street workhouse. [hopeful] Maybe he's taking them to prayers.
D: Oh, nothing as holy as that. [runs up beside Mr. Cole] Can you hear me? Hello? No? Mr. Cole, you seem to have something in your ear. [begins getting out sonic screwdriver] Now, this might hurt a bit, but if I can just... [a growl from a Cybershade cuts him off] Ah, they're on guard. Can't risk a fight, not with the children.
R: But where're they going?
Jed: They all need a good whipping if you ask me. There's tons of them. I've just seen another lot coming down from the Ingleby workhouse, down Broadback Lane.
D: Where's that?
R: This way.
[The Doctor and Rosita run through the streets to find another queue of children.]
R: Dozens of 'em!
D [puzzled] What for?
[Mr. Scoone leads a third line of children up to a building. They go ahead of him to a set of double doors. The doors bang open to reveal two Cybermen. The children scream, but Mr. Scoone orders them on.]
Mr. Scoone: You will continue. You will enter the court of the CyberKing.
[Cybershades appear at either side of the entrance frighten the children still further.]
Mr. Scoone: March. That is an order. March.
[The terrified children enter the building with Mr Scoone behind them.]
[Jackson is sitting on a bed in the stables, gasping for breath. Then he looks up at the cases and gets to his feet.]
JL [breathily]: Where is it? [begins to paw through luggage, more forcefully] Where is it?
[He stares at something on the ground.]
[The Cybermen stand on guard as the children enter the building. The Doctor and Rosita are watching.]
R: That's the door to the sewers. All the sewage runs through there, straight to the Thames.
D [looking back in the direction of the river]: Yeah, that's too well guarded. We'll have to find another way in.
[They move away from their hiding place and almost run into two Cybermen.]
D: Whoa, that's cheating, sneaking up! Did you have your legs on silent?
[Miss Hartigan moves to stand in front of them.]
MH: So, what do we have here?
D [concerned]: Listen. Just walk towards me - slowly. Don't let them touch you.
MH [smug]: Oh, but they wouldn't hurt me. My fine boys. They're my knights in shining armour. Quite literally.
D [anxious]: Even if they've converted you, that's not a cyber speech pattern. You've still got free will. I'm telling you [clenched teeth] step away!
MH [calmly]: There's been no conversion, sir. No one's ever been able to change my mind. The Cybermen offered me the one thing I wanted. Liberation.
R: Who are ya?
MH [dismissively]: You can be quiet! I doubt he paid you to talk!
[Rosita is deeply offended.]
MH: More importantly, who are you, sir, with such intimate knowledge of my companions?
D [in Oncoming Storm mode]: I'm the Doctor.
Cyberman: Incorrect. You do not correspond to our image of the Doctor.
D [nodding head]: Yeah, but that's 'cause your database got corrupted. Oh, look, look, look [getting out infostamp] check this. [holds up infostamp] The Doctor's infostamp.
[He throws the infostamp and the Cyberman catches it.]
D: Plug it in, go on, download.
Cyberman [looks inside infostamp]: The core has been damaged. This infostamp would damage Cyber units.
D [rolls eyes]: Oh, well, nice try.
Cyberman: Core repaired. Download. [The Cyberman opens the logo on his chest and inserts the infostamp. Images in his eye show pictures of the Doctor at different times in his recent history.] You are the Doctor.
D [waving, emotionless]: Hello.
Cyberman: You will be deleted.
D: No, no, b-b-b-b-but let me die happy. [looking at Miss Hartigan] Tell me one thing, what do you need those children for?
MH [smiling]: What are children ever needed for? They're a workforce.
D [confused]: But for what?
MH [smug again]: Very soon now the whole Empire will see. And they will bow down in worship.
D [Oncoming Storm mode again]: And it's all in time for Christmas Day. Was that your idea, Miss...?
MH: Hartigan. And yes, the perfect day for a birth. With a new message for the people. Only this time it won't be the words of a man.
D [coldly]: The birth of what?
MH: A birth and a death - namely yours. Thank you, Doctor. Glad to have been part of your very last conversation. Now, delete them.
Cyberman: Delete.
[The Doctor puts his arm forward around Rosita, putting her behind him, as the Cybermen march forward. Then suddenly blue-white lightning zaps them and they slowly collapse to the ground. The Doctor looks up to see Jackson, the cache of infostamps over his shoulder, switching one off.]
JL: At your service, Doctor.
MH: Shades. Shaaades!
D: Run! Come on!
MH: Shaaaades!
R: One last thing.
[She punches Miss Hartigan in the mouth]
D [shocked and amused]: Can I say, I completely disapprove! Come on!
MH [getting to her feet as the Cybershades surround her]: Get off me. I said, get off! Tell your masters we're not waiting till dawn. The CyberKing will rise. [she touches the blood on her lip] Tonight.
[Jackson, Rosita and the Doctor shelter under the eaves of a building.]
D: That stronghold's down by the river. We've got a find a way in.
JL: Oh, I'm ahead of you.
[The Doctor frowns.]
JL: My wife and I were moving to London so I could take up a post at the University. And while my memory is still not intact, this [pulls out a bundle of paper] was in the luggage. The deeds. 15 Latimer Street. And if I discovered the Cybermen there, in the cellar, then...
D: That might be our way in! Brilliant!
JL: There's still more. I remember the cellar. And my wife. [looks pained, flashback to her murder] But I swear there was something else in that room. [indistinct view of 'something else'] If we can find that, perhaps that's the key to defeating these invaders. So, onwards.
D [to Rosita, as he moves to grab her arm]: Maybe you shouldn't...
R [holds up hand]: Don't even try!
[Doctor waggles his head and gives up.]
[The Cyber-Leader leads Miss Hartigan into a room where the four owners of the workhouses are standing.]
CL: You have wisdom. If the Doctor is planning to intervene then the ascension will commence immediately.
MH: Excellent. And as for you, Mr. Cole, Mr. Scoones, Mr. Fetch, Mr. Milligan, your work is done.
[She moves a switch and all four men are electrocuted by their earpods. Miss Hartigan smirks as they collapse, screaming. She goes into another room which is full of machinery.]
MH: Children! Pay attention!
[The children turn and look at her]
MH: Now let the new industrial revolution begin. I want to see you work!
[With pained expressions, the children begin working. Cybermen stand on guard.]
Cyberman: Energy levels 60% and rising.
CL: Soon the CyberKing will awake.
MH [smirking]: Then show me!
[She takes the CL's arm and goes with him into another room.]
[Jackson enters the cellar of the house and finds a Cyberman. He kills it with an infostamp as it cries 'Delete'. The Doctor rushes past JL into the cellar and finds a device.]
D: Must have been guarding this. A dimension vault. Stolen from the Daleks again. That's how the Cybermen travelled through time. Jackson, is this it? The thing you couldn't remember?
JL [gasping]: I don't think so. But I just can't see. It's like it's hidden.
D: Ah, not enough power. Come on! Avanti!
[Miss Hartigan walks with the Cybermen into yet another room, the throne room of the CyberKing.]
MH: Oh, that is magnificent! That is royalty indeed! And that's quite a throne. Oh, you will look resplendent!
CL: The chair you designate as throne is not intended for me. My function is to serve the CyberKing, not to become the CyberKing.
MH: Then who sits there?
[The Cyber-Leader turns slowly to face Miss Hartigan. She suddenly understands.]
MH [panicked]: No! Now just... I think, if you remember correctly, you said I was to be heralded.
CL: All hail the CyberKing!
Cybermen: All hail the CyberKing!
MH: But you promised me! You said I would never be converted!
CL: That was designated [pause] a lie.
[The Doctor, Rosita and Jackson are creeping through underground rooms criss-crossed by pipes.]
R: What do the Cybermen want?
D: They want us. That's what Cybermen are. Humans without brains put into metal shells. They want every living thing to be like them.
[Rosita is appalled.]
[Miss Hartigan is tied to the throne as the Cybermen march away.]
MH [upset]: You can't do this to me.
CL: Incorrect. It is done.
MH [terrified]: But I would have served you anyway!
CL: Your mind is riddled with anger and abuse and revenge. These have no place in a cyber mind. Activate!
[As Miss Hartigan looks up in fear, a throne-like device descends to close around her head.]
CL: Emotions have tormented you all of your life. Now you will be set free. This is your liberation.
MH [gasping and panting in fear]: For the love of God, have you no pity?
CL: [pause] Correct.
[The crown closes around her head and blue lights begin to buzz. She closes her eyes and gasps with pain before seeming to pass out.]
CL: The CyberKing is born!
Cybermen: All hail the CyberKing.
[Miss Hartigan's head lifts and then her eyes open. They are completely black.]
[The Doctor, Rosita and Jackson arrive at a sewer grate that opens into the area where the children are working.]
JL [breathless]: Upon my soul.
R: What is it?
D: It's an engine.
[They look up at the mass of cogs joined together to create power.]
D: Generating electricity [frowns] but what for?
JL [getting up]: We could set them free.
D [putting hand on Jackson's chest]: No, no, no, no, no, no, no. [gets up and moves away]
[Rosita follows the Doctor, but Jackson remains behind, watching.]
[Miss Hartigan is sitting upright in the chair, mouth frowning, her black eyes staring.]
MH [exhales deeply, her voice now has a metallic edge]: Hah. Behold such... information.
[The Doctor leads Rosita and Jackson to a dial on the wall, putting on his glasses as he does so.]
D [grimacing]: Power at 90%. But if we stop the engine, the power dies down, the Cybermen will come running. Ooh! [as screen goes blurry, knocks on it] Hang on. Power fluctuation, that's not meant to happen.
JL: It's - going wrong.
D [shakes head doubtfully, pouting]: No, no, it's weird. The software's rewriting itself. It's changing.
MH [in Cyberman voice]: I can see the stars, the worlds beyond. The vortex of time itself and the whole of infinity. Oh, but this is glorious!
CL: That is incorrect. Glorious is an emotional response.
MH: Exactly. There is so much joy in this machine.
CL: Joy is not acceptable.
MH [mocking]: Don't you see, my mind is stronger than you've ever thought. It dominates, sir. It dominates you!
CL: Alert. [the Cybermen begin flexing their hands] You are operating beyond the standard parameters.
MH: I am new! The might of your technology combined with my own imagination - yes! There will be a new race of Cybermen, my Cybermen. Logic and strength combined with fury and passion.
CL: Diagnosis: system failure. You will be removed from the processor.
[Miss Hartigan fires a blue-white stream of power (like those from the infostamps) out of the core of her crown at the Cyber-Leader. He shakes, hands to his head, and then blows apart.]
[At the same instant, the monitor the Doctor was examining lets out smoke and sparks.]
D [ducking back]: Whoa! What's happening, it's out of control!
JL: It's accelerating! 96%, 97...
R: When it reaches 100, what about the children?
[The Doctor looks at Rosita, angry and worried.]
D [tearing off his glasses]: They're disposable! [runs back in the direction of the sluice gate] Come on!
MH: I am CyberKing. My mind inside Cybermen. And you will obey me.
Cybermen: All hail the CyberKing.
Cyberman inside engine room: Power levels now at 100% [presses buttons on machine]. Delete the workforce.
[As a klaxon blares, a second Cyberman turns away from the first and faces the room.]
C2: Delete!
[An alarm sounds in the room.]
C3: Delete!
[The children look terrified. Then the Doctor runs across onto the platform where they’re working.]
D [yelling]: Right, now, all of you, out!
[Jackson aims one of the infostamps at a Cyberman, destroying it. As the Doctor shepherds the children away, Rosita takes care of another Cyberman.]
D: That's an order! Every single one of you, run!
JL: All of you, come on, as fast as you can, come on!
[Doctor jumps onto a mast.]
D: There's a hot pie for everyone if you leg it!
JL [sees that the way is clear and waves at the Doctor]: Go!
D [grabs Rosita's arm]: You need to get them as far as the sluice gate. Once you're out, keep running. Far as you can!
[Jackson and the Doctor wave out more children.]
D: Come on, come on, come on.
[The Doctor looks up to make sure they haven't left anyone behind.]
R [waving children on]: Turn right at the corner, fast as you can! And don't stop! Keep running. Keep running!
MH: Come, my soldiers. Come to me.
[Cybermen and Cybershades approach her over the small bridge.]
[Rosita opens the big double doors and leads the children out.]
R: Come on! Keep running! Keep running!
[The children flee down the alleys and streets.]
D [chasing another child out of the room]: Go on, quick, quick! [He puts on his glasses again to examine the machinery on the walls.] It's some sort of starter motor.
[Jackson is backing away, staring in the direction of the children.]
D: But starting what?
[Jackson continues to watch as older boys run past him, frowning, trying to remember. He has another flashback to the moment in the cellar when the Cybermen attacked and finally remembers a child's voice calling for help, calling 'Father'. Realisation hits and he looks up to see a boy standing on a high ledge, staring down at him, terror in his eyes.]
JL: [whispers] It's my son. My son. [yelling] Doctor, my son!
[The Doctor darts away from the machine, tearing off his glasses.]
D: What?
JL [looking up]: They took my son. No wonder my mind escaped. Those damned Cybermen - they took my child! [shakes the Doctor with the force of his emotions]
[The Doctor stares at him, wide-eyed.]
JL: But he's alive, Doctor! [points up] Frederick!
D [turned to the boy, his hand outstretched] Come on!
[Frederick stares down, unmoving.]
JL [sobbing]: Oh, he's too scared. Stay there! Don't move! I'm coming! [darts towards the stairs, only to be thrown backwards by an explosion]
MH: CyberKing rising!
[The ground shakes, destroying the small bridge that led to the throne. Three Cybermen and a Cybershade stand and sit on either side of the CyberKing.]
[The Doctor swings over to Jackson on a chain and helps him up.]
JL: I can't get up there! Fr...
D: They've finished with the motor. It's going to blow up!
JL: What're we going to do, Doctor? What are we going to do?
D [pulls cutlass out of his jacket pocket]: You know me, Jackson. [runs over to rope and wraps it around his arm, swinging the cutlass] You know me!
[The Doctor slices the rope and is propelled up to the high point of the room. He lands on the ledge next to Frederick.]
D: Oh, that's it. [bends down in front of Frederick] Hello! Now [encouraging the boy to climb onto his back] hold on tight, don't let go.
[Jackson watches desperately as the engine room begins to fall apart. The Doctor grabs the robe and swings off the ledge, which explodes behind him.]
[Miss Hartigan sits silent as the platform shakes and moves beneath her.]
[The Doctor comes through the smoke, carrying Frederick. Jackson is almost beside himself, but finally smiles and takes the boy as the Doctor hands him over.]
D [with a satisfied grin]: Merry Christmas!
[Jackson stares at his son for a moment before hugging him. The boy closes his eyes in relief and returns the embrace.]
R [kneeling in front of a girl]: Go to St Stevens, ask for the warden. He'll take care of you.
[She looks over as she hears a whooshing sound and then turns back.]
R: Now run, quickly!
[The Doctor and Jackson, still holding Frederick, run through the burning room. An explosion bars their exit and they head into the sewer tunnels.]
[Rosita runs in the direction of the river, while everyone else runs the other way. A man points behind him.]
Man: Inside the water! There's something in the Thames!
[Rosita runs on, but stops and stares, the light reflecting movement of the waves on her face. A huge metal figure, water streaming off it, rises out of the river. Where the mouth should be sits Miss Hartigan and the Cybermen and Cybershades. Rosita stares, her mouth falling open.]
[The Doctor and Jackson arrive back into the cellar of Jackson’s house.]
D: Head for the street!
[An explosion shoves him into the cellar and past the dimension vault. He stops, runs back and launches it into the air, grabbing it as it comes down.
JL: Come on, Doctor, hurry up!
D: Gotcha!
[The CyberKing stands tall over London, its feet still in the river.]
MH: Behold, I am risen! Witness me, mankind, as CyberKing of all.
[The Doctor and Jackson run out onto the street and look up at the CyberKing in disbelief and shock.]
D: It's the CyberKing!
JL: And the CyberKing means what?
D: It's a ship, dreadnought class. Frontline of an invasion. And inside the chest a cyber factory ready to convert millions.
[He runs away, Jackson following.]
MH: And I will walk. I will stride across this tiny little world.
[The CyberKing strides out of the river, crushing buildings and people under its gigantic feet. People scream and run away. Rosita runs through the crowd, looking for the Doctor and Jackson.]
MH [coldly confused and angry]: My people! Why do they not rejoice?
D [turning to Jackson, between clenched teeth]: It's heading south. Take your son, go to the parkland.
JL: But where are you going?
D: To stop that thing.
JL [pleading]: But I should be with you!
D [desperate]: Jackson, you've got your son! You've got a reason to live.
JL [horrified]: What, and you haven't?
[The Doctor stares at him for a long moment that says everything.]
JL [sadly]: God save you, Doctor.
[The Doctor gives him one last look and then runs off. Jackson strokes his son's cheek and then moves away in a different direction from the machine. The Doctor runs into the stable, dimension vault in hand. He throws it down and begins hauling open cases. Jed, sitting on the ground, leaps to his feet.]
Jed: What the hell is that thing, sir?
D [spins around]: Oh, good man, Jed, wasn't it? Jed, I need your help!
Jed: I'm not going out there!
D [slinging a belt of cartridges over his shoulder]: I'll give you five pound notes!
Jed [hesitates, and then]: Um, all right, what d'you want me to do?
D [grabbing dimension vault and running out of the room]: The TARDIS is gonna fly!
[Jed runs out of the stable after him.]
[The CyberKing continues its trek across London.]
MH: People of the world, now hear me. Your governments will surrender. And if not, then behold my power.
[One of the machine arms becomes a massive gun and begins firing bolts down like flaming cannon balls down at people.]
[The Doctor runs into the yard, handing the dimension vault backwards to Jed. He throws the belt of cartridges into the basket before leaping in himself.]
Jed: You're flamin' bonkers, you are, sir!
D: That's been said before, now give me!
[The Doctor gestures for the dimension vault and Jed hands it over. He shakes the vault and listens to it blip.]
D: Aah, not enough power! Come on! Jed, let her loose!
[Jed frantically unties ropes.]
Jed: Ever flown one of these before?
D: No, never!
Jed: Can I have my money now?
D [fishes in pocket]: Oh, get on with it!
[Jackson is running through the crowds and finds Rosita.]
R: What's that? I thought I'd lost ya!
JL: My son, Rosita. This boy is my son!
[The CyberKing continues to fire. Jackson and Rosita flee from an explosion just in time, watching as the machine strides past them.]
[Jed releases the final rope and watches as the TARDIS lifts off. The Doctor winds up the ropes.]
Jed: Good luck to ya, sir! [laughs wildly]
[Jackson and Rosita see the balloon rising behind the CyberKing.]
JL: It's the TARDIS! [smiles triumphantly] She's flying!
[The Doctor throws off sandbags and other weight, including a basket, to gain height.]
Boy: Who the hell is that?
JL [proudly]: His name, sir, is the Doctor!
[The Doctor looks up as he approaches the CyberKing.]
[One of the Cybermen turns to Miss Hartigan.]
Cyberman: Attention. Proximity alert.
MH: How is that even possible? Oh, this I would see! [bellows] Turn!
[The CyberKing turns to face the Doctor in the balloon. The Doctor releases some air so that the balloon travels no higher before grabbing the belt of cartridges and wrapping it around his arm so they all face the same way.]
MH: Excellent! The Doctor! Yet another man come to assert himself against me in the night.
D [yelling]: Miss Hartigan! I'm offering you a choice. You might have the most remarkable mind this world has ever seen, strong enough to control the Cybermen themselves...
MH: I don't need you to sanction me.
D: No, but such a mind deserves to live. The Cybermen came to this world using a dimension vault. I can use that device to find you a home with no people to convert, but a new world where you can live out your mechanical life in peace.
MH: I have the world below and it is abundant with so many minds ready to become extensions of me. Why would I leave this place?
D: Because, if you don't, I'll have to stop you.
MH: What do you make of me, sir - an idiot?
D [sadly, shakes head]: No. The question is, what do you make of me?
[He aims the rows of cartridges at the CyberKing.]
MH: Destroy him!
D: You make me into this.
[He activates the infostamps and brilliant blue-white lights streams into the throne room. It hits the crown in the central point and flows over the electric cables and wires of the throne. Miss Hartigan's face wears a smug smile. Finally the Doctor deactivates the stamps and drops his arm. ]
MH: Then I have made you a failure. Your weapons are useless, sir.
D [emotionlessly]: I wasn't trying to kill you. All I did was break the cyber connection, leaving your mind open.
[Miss Hartigan now appears as a normal person and shock and horror are gradually creeping across her features.
D: Open, I think, for the first time in far too many years. So you can see.
[Miss Hartigan begins to breathe nervously and trembles as the Cybermen turn towards her.]
D: Just look at yourself. Look at what you've done. I'm sorry, Miss Hartigan, but look at what you've become.
[She screams in horror and fear, unable to escape, still being bound to the throne.]
D [dully]: I'm so sorry.
[The emotions from Miss Hartigan's terror begin to run through the Cybermen, who shake clutch their heads, twitching themselves and her to pieces. The CyberKing begins to disintegrate. The Doctor watches, in full Oncoming storm mode, as the gust from the explosion begins to blow the balloon away.]
JL: He's killed it! Whatever he did, he's killed it.
R [grabbing his arm]: But it's gonna fall!
[People begin screaming and running away. The machine totters, explosions coming from every part.]
[An electric buzz brings the Doctor out of his thoughts and he snatches up the dimension vault.]
D: Now you're ready!
[He aims the object, which looks like a rifle, at the machine and activates it. Light like that in the vortex engulfs the remains of the CyberKing and it fades away. The Doctor shuts off the dimension vault, his face a mixture of grim emotions, and puts it down.]
JL: I'd say he used that dimension vault to transfer the wreckage of the CyberKing into the time vortex, there to be harmlessly disintegrated. [is surprised at himself] Oh! [chuckles] I picked up a lot! [hands Frederick to Rosita] Here! [he leaps onto a nearby lamppost] Ladies and gentlemen, I know that man. That Doctor on high! And I know that he has done this deed a thousand times! But not once, no sir, not once, not ever has he ever been thanked! But no more! For I say to you on this Christmas morn, bravo, sir! Bravo!
[People begin clapping and cheering. The Doctor hears it and looks down in surprise, giving a smile and a wave, ringing the bell of the airborne TARDIS.]
JL: Bravo, Doctor!
[The Doctor looks out over London, the half-smile fading from his face, deep in thought.]
[The Doctor and Jackson are walking through the market square.]
JL: The city will recover, as London always does. Though the events of today will be history, spoken of for centuries to come.
D [scornful]: Yeah, funny that.
JL: Well, a new history begins for me. I find myself a widower, but with my son. [pats the Doctor on the shoulder before looking back at Rosita] And with a good friend.
[The Doctor and Jackson look back at Rosita, who is standing with Jed and Frederick, encouraging the boy to wave.]
D: Now, take care of that one, she's marvellous.
JL: Frederick will need a nursemaid and I can think of none better. [pauses and then turns to the Doctor] But you're welcome to join us. We thought we might all dine together [Doctor looks away, pained] at the Traveller's Halt. Christmas feast in celebration. And in memory of those we've lost.
[The two men look at each other for a long moment, reflected pain in their eyes.]
JL: You won't stay.
D [tiny smile]: Nothing to say, you know me.
[They enter the archway where the TARDIS stands.]
JL [refers to his last comment]: No, I don't think anyone does. [sees the TARDIS] Oh! And this is it! Ah! Oh, if I might, Doctor. One last adventure!
D: Oh! [unlocks TARDIS] Be my guest!
[The door opens to reveal the shock on Jackson's face. He grins, touches the Doctor's arm and then steps inside.]
JL: Oh! [pause] Oh, my word!
[The Doctor follows him up the ramp. Jackson approaches the console.]
JL: Oh. Oh. Goodness me. [looks back at the Doctor, who's grinning proudly] Wh- haha... But this is... [laughs] But this is nonsense!
D [looks deeply hurt]: Well, that's one word for it.
JL [laughs]: Complete and utter wonderful nonsense.
[The Doctor smiles again.]
JL: Oh. Very, very silly. Oh. [reaches out to touch, but draws back, his hands pressed to his temples] Oh, no, I can't bear it!
[The Doctor looks worried.]
JL: Oh, it's causing my head to ache. [turns and runs down the ramp] Nope. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. [runs out of the TARDIS] Oh, my gracious! [laughs as the Doctor follows him out, a huge grin on his face, and shuts the door] That's quite enough. [long pause as the smile fades from Jackson's face] I take it this is goodbye.
D [briskly]: Onwards and upwards.
JL: Tell me one thing. All those facts and figures I saw of the Doctor's life, you were never alone.
[All hint of a smile is gone from the Doctor's face.]
JL: All those bright and shining companions. But - not anymore?
D [shakes his head]: No.
JL: Might I ask why not?
D [on the verge of tears]: They leave. Because they should, or they find someone else. And some of them - some of them - forget me. [Jackson frowns, puzzled] I suppose, in the end [pause] they break my heart.
[A long pause, during which time the Doctor visibly fights back emotion and Jackson's face sets into a firm expression.]
JL: That offer of Christmas dinner - it's no longer a request, it's a demand.
D [slight nod, his eyes glistening]: In memory of those we've lost.
[Jackson nods.]
D [looking everywhere but at Jackson]: Brr, aw, go on then.
[Jackson's face lights up in delight and he laughs.]
JL: Really?
D: Just this once. You've - you've actually gone and changed my mind. Not many people can do that. [steps forward] Jackson, if anyone had to be the Doctor, I'm glad it was you.
JL: The feast awaits. Come. With me.
[The Doctor pulls the TARDIS door shut.]
JL: Walk this way.
D: I certainly will!
[Jackson laughs.]
D: Merry Christmas to you, Jackson!
JL: Merry Christmas indeed, Doctor!
